I'm travelling from VCE-LHR on BA which arrives in Terminal 5 and then on QF2 from LHR-SYD departing from Terminal 3.

I'm travelling from VCE-LHR on BA which arrives in Terminal 5 and then on QF2 from LHR-SYD departing from Terminal 3. I'm assuming my bags won't be checked through the whole way and that I am okay with, but will I have to enter the UK collect my bags, and then transfer to Terminal 3, check in for my QF flight, drop my bags go through immigration again?

If you ask nicely they should be able to check you in + your bags through to SYD without going landside at LHR, even on seperate bookings as oneworld to oneworld

Oneworld airlines generally will check in your bag through to its final destinations if transiting onto another oneworld flight (even if on a seperate ticket). So BA should be able to check your bags through onto a QF flight. 

danebracewell,

In response to the question,

• Yes you will have to enter the UK and clear UK immigration prior to collecting your bags
• Yes you will have to transfer to Terminal 3, using public transport options (the Heathrow Express link between T3 and T5 is free)
• Yes you will have to check in for your QF flight at the T3 check-in counters
• Yes you will have to go through security at T3; but No you will not have to go through UK immigration (the UK does not vet people leaving the country - only those entering)

However both jrfsp and hutch are correct. Your best option is to get the BA check-in agents to check your luggage through to your final destination i.e. Sydney. Even if they cannot generate your boarding pass for QF2, they should be able to tag your bags to SYD. At LHR upon clearing security at the Transit Area, you will be able to obtain the QF boarding pass. Make sure you give the agent at the transit desk your checked baggage receipt so that they can reconcile you to your bags.

At the gates, when they're scanning your boarding pass prior to boarding ask the agent to confirm if your bags are in the belly of the aircraft. They will be able to check from their system if your bags have joined you. Don't bother asking the agents at the lounge (if you have access) as they are BA staff and will not be able to check.